Who we are

Leader of Newcastle City Council

Councillor Nick Forbes is the Leader of Newcastle City Council, a role he has held since 2011. Nick Forbes is also a Cabinet Member for Business Competitiveness for the North of Tyne Combined Authority.

Nick was first elected to Newcastle City Council in 2000 at the age of 26. He was re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016, representing the Westgate ward.

Raised in County Durham, Nick graduated from Cambridge and trained in the NHS before his 2000 election.

In addition to Cllr Forbes’ role as chair of Newcastle City Council cabinet and cabinet member at NTCA, he represents Newcastle on various bodies. These include:

Vice chair of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority

Member of Labour’s national policy forum

Leader, Labour Local Government

FRESH Chair, the campaign for a smoke-free North East.